Teenage Michael’s dad is the founder of Aussie Values, a new anti-immigrant political group that believes too many refugees are coming into the country while those already in residence too often fail to assimilate after they arrive. Michael’s never questioned his parents’ political opinions until he meets Mina, a new student at his school who came to Australia as a Muslim refugee from Afghanistan when she was a child. Mina’s initially disgusted when Michael spouts his parents’ rhetoric in class, but she also can’t deny her attraction to him as time goes on. Michael likes her, too, and when Mina challenges his beliefs he begins to examine what he’s heard at home and starts forming his own opinions, informed by a new, broader understanding of the experience of refugees. Still, he’s not ready to directly challenge his parents’ point of view. But it gets more complicated when several members of Aussie Values target the restaurant owned by Mina’s mom and stepdad. One of many striking things in this novel is that Michael’s parents are complex characters, decent people who genuinely believe their ideas are essential for the good of their country. Mina’s own history provides a critical counterpoint, as do Michael’s experiences as he begins to observe more closely and think more critically, while the romance between Mina and Michael is all the more satisfying for the rich and sometimes challenging conversations they have. (Age 12 and older)

A remarkable story about the power of tolerance from one of the most important voices in contemporary Muslim literature, critically acclaimed author Randa Abdel-Fattah.

Michael likes to hang out with his friends and play with the latest graphic design software. His parents drag him to rallies held by their anti-immigrant group, which rails against the tide of refugees flooding the country. And it all makes sense to Michael.Until Mina, a beautiful girl from the other side of the protest lines, shows up at his school, and turns out to be funny, smart -- and a Muslim refugee from Afghanistan. Suddenly, his parents' politics seem much more complicated.Mina has had a long and dangerous journey fleeing her besieged home in Afghanistan, and now faces a frigid reception at her new prep school, where she is on scholarship. As tensions rise, lines are drawn. Michael has to decide where he stands. Mina has to protect herself and her family. Both have to choose what they want their world to look like.